The head coach of the Latvian men's basketball national team, Sito Alonso, feels more comfortable working with the national team in the second window than he did during his first gathering in November, the specialist emphasized on Monday at a press conference, LETA reports.
In November, at the beginning of the qualifying group F tournament, the Latvian national team lost to the Netherlands 78:86 in their first match in Riga, but won against Austria 86:68 away. In this window, the Latvian team will face Poland twice — first at home, then away.
"The first window was difficult because there was little time to work on the nuances of offense and defense. However, more important than tactical and technical aspects is conveying to the players the message of what kind of character I want to see in the team. The first days were spent trying to explain my basketball philosophy. Now it is easier for both the players and me," said Alonso, who replaced Luka Banki as head coach after the European Championship.
Alonso also noted that he has established more effective communication with his assistants on the national team — Robert Štelmahers, Arturs Visockis-Rubenis, Kaspars Vecvagars, and Davis Choders.
"We discussed what needs to be improved. The assistants know me better now, and our communication has become easier. They help me a lot. I’m happy for Kaspars, who won the Cup, and I’m also happy for Davis, who now has new responsibilities," Alonso said.
Last week, Alonso's team UCAM Murcia was unable to overcome the quarter-finals of the King's Cup, losing to Barcelona 85:91.
"After the loss, I was disappointed because we controlled the game for most of the match. Now I need to regroup for the tasks that await me with the national team," Alonso emphasized.
The Cup was won by Rodions Kurucs, who previously played under Alonso and now represents the team Baskonia from Vitoria. The elder of the Kurucs brothers will not be able to join the national team in this window.
"I’m glad he won the title with Baskonia. I saw the matches where he struggled because he was playing with an injury. If he could help the national team, he would have done it," Alonso said about Kurucs.
Rolands Šmits is expected to join the team, as the EuroLeague match schedule with Istanbul's Anadolu Efes allows him to arrive in Riga as early as February 26. However, he has also been struggling with an injury lately.
"I need to rely on those players who are healthy. If Rolands is here and can help — great. If not, the others will have to step up," Alonso noted.
In the upcoming window, the Latvian national team will face Poland twice: on February 27, the Latvians will host the Poles at home, and on March 1, the teams will play in Poland.
Before the matches against Poland, Kristers Zoriks, Arturs Strautins, and Tom Skuja, who did not play in November due to health issues, have returned to the lineup. EuroLeague players Davis Bertans, Rodions Kurucs, and Arturs Žagars are unavailable.
In group F, after two matches, Poland has two victories, the Netherlands and Latvia have one each, and Austria has suffered two defeats.
The three best teams from group F, taking into account the results of all matches in the second stage, will join the three best teams from group E (Germany, Croatia, Israel, Cyprus). The three best teams will earn the right to compete in the final tournament of the World Championship in Qatar.
Expanded List of Candidates for the Latvian National Team
Adrians Anžejs, Kristaps Kilps (both — VEF Rīga), Roberts Blumbergs (Petkim Spor, Izmir, Turkey), Klavs Čavars (Sabah, Baku, Azerbaijan), Arturs Kurucs (Rio Breogan, Lugo, Spain), Tom Leimanis (KR, Reykjavik, Iceland), Rihards Lomažs, Karlis Šiliņš (both — Neptūnas, Klaipeda, Lithuania), Rodijs Mačohs (Rīgas zeļļi), Mareks Meyeris (Stal, Ostrów, Poland), Anrijs Miška (Kalev/Cramo, Tallinn, Estonia), Rolands Šmits (Anadolu Efes, Istanbul, Turkey), Tom Skuja (Riesen, Ludwigsburg, Germany), Marcis Steinbergs (Baxi, Manresa, Spain), Arturs Strautins (Derthona, Tortona, Italy), Kristers Zoriks (Udine, Italy).
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